There’s Nothing More Terrifying Than These 7 Truly Haunted Places In Northern California

Highway 49 was named after the California Gold Rush and the thousands of 49ers who flocked to this part of the world to strike it rich. This long and windy road will take you to 7 of the most haunted places in Northern California.

Lawlessness and debaucheries ran amok in Gold Country before the mining camps became established towns with churches and schools in the late 1800s. Before then, there were saloons and places of ill repute scattered all along Highway 49. Many of them are still standing today and known far and wide as still playing host to the spirits of the Gold Rush.

Follow in the footsteps of those intrepid 49ers by visiting all the haunted locations along this route.

On the southern end of Highway 49 is the small and creepy town of Sonora. It's a historic place that's as haunted as it is beautiful. The Gunn House Hotel is the site of many ghost sightings in this old mining town.

Don't be deceived by the name of Angel's Camp; this small town is haunted just like the rest of them! Pictured here is the eerie Sam Choy Brick Store, the only building left over from a once prosperous settlement of Chinese American immigrants.

Your next stop should be the town of Sutter Creek. You might be swayed by the small town charm and friendly smiles of the town's living residents, but don't be fooled into believing this area is untouched by the historic ghosts.

Poor Reds is an old bar in El Dorado, California. You'll pass right by it on Highway 49 and it's worth stopping into this once world famous saloon. Recently reopened and offering superb dining as well as other modern conveniences, you can't shake the old timey character of this place.

Placerville was once known as Hangtown and was the site of justice but also sorrow in the Gold Rush. Needless to say there are several haunted establishments on Main Street and throughout the town. These spooky spots include the Cary House, a historic hotel located right across the street from what once was the hangman's tree.

A haunted exploration of the Gold Country would be incomplete without stopping in the town of Coloma, which is mostly comprised of the Gold Marshall Discovery State Park. This was where John Marshall found the nugget that started the Gold Rush and many of the original buildings from the 1800s are still intact, each one rumored to be haunted. The scariest spots by far in Coloma are the old one room school house, the remains of the jail, and other eerie buildings like the Grange, pictured here.

Like all these other spooky places, there are so many old buildings in Downieville that are allegedly haunted. You really need to spend some time there to explore each one. Stop in at the River Inn, one of the spookiest places in town.

Have you ever taken this historic drive? Tell us about it in the comments!

Born and raised in the heart of Northern California's Gold Country, Jill now lives in Truckee, CA and dabbles as a creative storyteller and freelance journalist. She is an outdoor recreation enthusiast who loves the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the quirky people who have made their homes there. Jill loves skiing, hiking, and paddling in the backcountry as well as exploring the rural parts of California that most people have never heard about. She is also a big fan of small town pride, list making, hand lettering and typography, and empowering women and girls in the outdoors. Read more of her work at www.jillcsanford.com or follow her instagram adventures @jillcsanford.